Genetic alterations associated with cancer

Abstract

The present invention provides new probes for the detection of chromosomal alterations associated with cancer, particularly ovarian cancer. The probes bind selectively with target nucleic acid sequences at 3q26 and at 19q13.1-19q13.2.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of screening a sample for the presence of DNA copy number changes associated with cancer, the method comprising: contacting a nucleic acid sample from a human patient with a first probe which binds selectively to a target nucleic acid sequence at 3q26.3, wherein the probe is contacted with the sample under conditions in which the probe binds selectively with the target nucleic acid sequence to form a stable hybridization complex;   contacting the sample with a second probe which binds selectively to a target nucleic acid sequence at 19q13.1-19q13.2, wherein the probe is contacted with the sample under conditions in which the probe binds selectively with the target nucleic acid sequence to form a stable hybridization complex; and   detecting the formation of a first and a second hybridization complex, thereby detecting in the sample the presence of DNA copy number changes compared to normal, wherein the DNA copy number changes are associated with cancer.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1, wherein the target nucleic acid sequence to which the second probe binds is in an AKT2 gene.